Southern Highlands Food & Drink

With fertile soils and a cool-climate altitude, this region is home to award-winning vineyards specialising in pinot noir, pinot gris and traditional method sparkling wines. There are more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors to see on a wine-tasting tour. Jump aboard with The Grape Escape or Highlands Food and Wine Tours.

Top vineyards include Artemis Wines and Tertini Wines near Mittagong, Centennial Vineyards and Joadja Estate near Berrima, Eling Forest Winery and Southern Highland Winery near Sutton Forest, and Cuttaway Hill Wines and St Maur Wines near Exeter. Beer fans should head to Eden Brewery and Southern Highlands Taphouse.

Try the elegant tasting menu matched with local wines at Eschalot in Berrima. Onesta Cucina in Bowral is the place for traditional Italian. For food with a retro twist, visit Bernie’s Diner in Moss Vale or linger over a long lunch at Bottega B Ristorante in Bundanoon. Stop by the historic Burrawang General Store for freshly baked scones and fresh jam. 

There are plenty of cosy pubs too, including the convict-built General Surveyor Inn in Berrima, the historic Burrawang Village Hotel in the village of Burrawang and The Bundanoon Hotel built in 1922. In Robertson, tempt your tastebuds at the famous Robertson Pie Shop and visit the Robertson Cheese Factory. 

The Southern Highlands yields a huge range of delicious produce. Local specialties include Angus beef, Toulouse geese, Wessex saddleback pigs, yabbies, cheeses, olives, olive oil, truffles, berries, cherries and pome fruits. You’ll find it all at the annual Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival in Moss Vale. 

Sample the best of the region at local markets. The Exeter Village Market is held on the first Saturday of the month, the Bowral Public School Market on the second Saturday of the month, and Mittagong Markets on the third and fifth Saturdays of the month. In Moss Vale, the Railway Street Farmers Market is on every Thursday afternoon.